Blood bank running on empty

If blood donors don't start pouring in for the Inland Northwest, the local blood bank may have to start importing blood from other regions.

That's already the situation in Lewiston, where the American Red Cross is importing blood from Great Falls, Mont., and the Boise area.

In the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane area, the Inland Northwest Blood Center is down to a two-day supply.

The overwhelming response of blood donors immediately after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is now a distant memory.

"People who never have given before came and gave," said Lisa Turpin, Idaho recruitment coordinator for the blood center. "I don't think they realized that we need 150 blood donors every day for the Inland Northwest."

The shortage isn't a result of a lack of donors necessarily, although the blood center wasn't recruiting as hard over the holidays.

But often, people postpone surgeries until after New Year's, which puts a heavy demand on already low blood supplies, Turpin said.

The last time the blood center reported a critical shortage of blood was this time last year.

The shortages are in the supplies of O and B types of blood. As of Tuesday morning, the blood center only had five units of B type - enough for five transfusions.

O type blood is more common and used more frequently. That type, too, was down to a two-day supply, Turpin said.

In Lewiston, the Red Cross provides blood to hospitals in Grangeville, Cottonwood, Orofino, Moscow and Lewiston. Combined, the hospitals need about 430 units a month, but collections are running about 350 to 400 units after a surge of donations after Sept. 11.

Red blood cells can only be stored for 42 days.

To donate in Coeur d'Alene, visit the blood center at 1341 Northwood Center Court Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A blood drive also is scheduled Thursday and Friday at the Coeur d'Alene High School during school hours.

In Spokane, donations are accepted at the center's office at 507 S. Washington, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Appreciation Month. Donors this month will receive smiling blood drop antenna balls.

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IF YOU GO

Door prize

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Appreciation Month. Donors this month will receive smiling blood drop antenna balls.

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